Single lesson
Trusting God: Proverbs 3
Proverbs 3:1–12
Proverbs 3:1–12 shows that trusting Yahweh is not only a thought. In this passage, trust is joined to remembering his teaching, choosing kindness and truth, acknowledging him, honouring him with what we have, and accepting his correction.
Before you teach
These verses are written as instruction from a father to a son. The passage gives commands and reasons in order: keep the teaching, hold on to kindness and truth, trust Yahweh rather than your own understanding, turn from evil, honour Yahweh with your substance and first fruits, and do not reject his discipline.
Students will identify from Proverbs 3:1–12 three ways this passage says to trust Yahweh: acknowledge him in all their ways, honour him with what they have, and accept his loving correction.
Welcome: The opening instructions
5 minAsk children what it means to trust someone, then explain that this passage describes trust with actions. Read Proverbs 3:1–12 aloud. Briefly note the first instructions: do not forget the teaching, keep the commandments in the heart, and do not let kindness and truth leave. This begins the lesson’s message.
Proverbs 3:1, Proverbs 3:2, Proverbs 3:3, Proverbs 3:4
Read and explain: Trust and acknowledge Yahweh
7 minTrace verses 5 to 8 carefully. Explain that trusting Yahweh with all your heart is the opposite of leaning on your own understanding. To acknowledge him in all your ways means not leaving him out. The passage then says not to be wise in your own eyes, but to fear Yahweh and depart from evil.
Proverbs 3:5, Proverbs 3:6, Proverbs 3:7, Proverbs 3:8
Discuss: Honour Yahweh with what you have
6 minNow move to verses 9 and 10 so children see the whole passage in order. Explain plainly that the hearer is told to honour Yahweh with their substance, that is, with what they have, and with the first fruits of their increase. The stated result in the text is filled barns and overflowing vats.
Proverbs 3:9, Proverbs 3:10
Make and respond: Straight path and truth signs
8 minMake a path craft. Children draw a path and add signposts with words from the passage such as “trust”, “acknowledge him”, “depart from evil”, “honour Yahweh”, and “kindness and truth”. Tell them this craft is a reminder of the passage’s own words, especially the picture of straight paths and the command to honour Yahweh.
Proverbs 3:3, Proverbs 3:6, Proverbs 3:7, Proverbs 3:9
Closing: Do not despise loving correction
4 minFinish with verses 11 and 12. Explain that the passage says not to despise Yahweh’s discipline or grow weary of his correction. The reason given is that Yahweh corrects the one he loves, like a father reproving a son in whom he delights. Invite each child to say one passage phrase they want to remember.
Proverbs 3:11, Proverbs 3:12
Questions to explore
In Proverbs 3:5, what are we told not to lean on, and who are we told to trust?
Answer by using both parts of the contrast in the verse: your own understanding and Yahweh with all your heart.
Proverbs 3:5
What does Proverbs 3:9 say we should honour Yahweh with?
Look for the two phrases in the verse that describe what belongs to the giver: substance and the first fruits of all your increase.
Proverbs 3:9
Why does the passage say we should not despise Yahweh’s discipline?
The next verse gives the reason by comparing Yahweh’s correction with a father reproving a son he delights in.
Proverbs 3:11, Proverbs 3:12
Make, think or respond
Straight Path and Honour Craft
What you’ll need
- paper
- pencils or markers
- scrap paper
- scissors
- glue
Try it together
- Draw a path across a sheet of paper.
- Cut out small sign shapes from scrap paper.
- Write words from the passage on the signs, such as “trust”, “acknowledge him”, “depart from evil”, “honour Yahweh”, and “do not despise correction”.
- Glue the signs along the path and add the words “he will make your paths straight” at the end.
- Invite each child to point to one sign and read its words aloud from the passage.
This activity helps children remember that Proverbs 3 links trusting Yahweh with a directed path, honouring him with what we have, and receiving correction.
Adapt for your group
- For younger children, pre-draw the path and provide the key words for them to copy or trace.
- For older or more confident children, ask them to sort the passage into commands and stated results before adding words to the craft.
An optional closing prayer
You could pray: “Yahweh, please help us trust you with all our heart, acknowledge you in all our ways, honour you with what we have, and not despise your correction.”
Read the Bible passage World English Bible Classic
Proverbs 3
1 My son, don’t forget my teaching, but let your heart keep my commandments,
2 for they will add to you length of days, years of life, and peace.
3 Don’t let kindness and truth forsake you. Bind them around your neck. Write them on the tablet of your heart.
4 So you will find favor, and good understanding in the sight of God and man.
5 Trust in Yahweh with all your heart, and don’t lean on your own understanding.
6 In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.
7 Don’t be wise in your own eyes. Fear Yahweh, and depart from evil.
8 It will be health to your body, and nourishment to your bones.
9 Honor Yahweh with your substance, with the first fruits of all your increase;
10 so your barns will be filled with plenty, and your vats will overflow with new wine.
11 My son, don’t despise Yahweh’s discipline, neither be weary of his correction;
12 for whom Yahweh loves, he corrects, even as a father reproves the son in whom he delights.
World English Bible Classic. Public domain.